Only construction ranked lower, with an 11 percent female representation.

Yet it only has one woman on its eight-member board.

Asian firms lag behind other regions in gender diversity.

But they are now catching up, with SK and Japan's Showa Shell Sekiyu focusing more on female workers.

Women like Ryu are pioneers in a business where about 80 percent of the global workforce is male, women's restrooms at some refineries are a relatively new addition and the term "oilman" has its own dictionary entry.

But in the aftermath of the crude price crash that began three years ago, Big Oil is redefining its business model and realizing that hiring and retaining more women will boost profitability.

Yet after the sacking of Jerusalem in 70 AD by the Romans, this earliest Christian church ceased having influence (Paul’s churches took over pretty much and Christianity became defined by Paul’s teachings).